THE director of the National Eisteddfod last night warned a strictly Welsh-only rule on the festival's Maes could end the event.

Elfed Roberts made the comments after calls from the Cylch yr laith (Language Circle) for everyone involved at the festival to speak Welsh.

Mr Roberts said: "I see no difficulty as far as the Eisteddfod's permanent staff are concerned, but when it comes to sub-contractors preparing the Maes and putting up the various marquees and units, it is a different story.

"This work involves outside contractors who of necessity employ non-Welsh speakers, particularly the company putting up the main pavilion, who are from abroad."

In a letter to Mr Roberts, Cylch yr Iaith secretary Ieuan Wyn said: "There is a danger that the Welsh nature and atmosphere of the Eisteddfod will be lost."

Guidelines submitted by Cylch yr Iaith, which are expected to be considered by the National Eisteddfod Council in June, say everyone employed by the Eisteddfod must be able to speak Welsh, Welsh must be the official internal administration language and the Eisteddfod must correspond in Welsh only with public and private bodies operating in Wales.

Cylch yr Iaith also insists all businesses, bodies or organisations represented on the Maes must ensure that all of their workers coming into contact with the public must speak Welsh, also that all signs on stalls or retail vans will be in Welsh only.

Mr Roberts added: "If Cylch yr Iaith have their way, there would be no Eisteddfod. I would have to abandon the Faenol site this year and stage the Eisteddfod instead on the Faenol roundabout. Cylch yr Iaith are asking for the impossible."